PLAYER-COACH Jack Stearman is hopeful New Earswick All Blacks ARLC's heavy defeat last week will act as a wake-up for his young side.

The All Blacks were walloped 52-6 last time out, away to a Bramley Buffaloes side inspired by veteran former York City Knights cult hero Ryan MacDonald, with the result leaving them rooted to the foot of the Yorkshire Men's League premier division.

They have home advantage this Saturday, though, against Upton (2.30pm) when a win would lift the York outfit off the bottom of the table again.

And, after a number of close losses, Stearman wants his players to now realise they are not merely "unlucky" and that they need to strive for improvements to bring in more victories.

"We were poor," he said of his side's performance at Bramley.

"We've been just short a couple of times and maybe a couple of players were thinking we were unlucky rather than thinking we needed to be more clinical.

"Maybe it (the heavy loss) is not a bad thing if, as a group, we look at it in the long run and look to make improvements, rather than just accept we're unlucky. We need to get better in areas."

Stearman insists his team, promoted from division one last year, can consolidate in the YML's top tier - and reckons experience of this level of rugby will stand his youthful players in good stead for future seasons.

"We're competing most weeks and that's a good thing," he said.

"Last week, we had eight under-18s in the squad. We're missing six or seven players from last season's squad - key players, too, who would help us progress - so it's been a tough ask. But it is what it is. We have to learn from the experience.

"It's been a bigger step up than we expected, but it will do everyone the world of good for the future - people will learn and improve."

Among the players out this season are playmaker Liam Gargan due to family commitments and 2017 Player of the Year Sean Malarkey, who has gone to Australia.

All Blacks will also now be without Jack Carling and Danny Butterworth for some time due to a dislocated shoulder and ankle ligament damage, respectively. Prop Mark Hayes is unavailable this weekend, too.

However, in come Bobby Smith, Dean Smith and Matt Cannon.

Stearman said: "Hopefully we'll right some wrongs of last week. Consolidation in this division is the aim. We have to be realistic. We can match anyone on our day but getting consistency in performances is important."

There is a notable Minster city derby in division one where high-flying Heworth host rock bottom York Acorn 'A'.

York Lokomotive are also at home in division three, with a tough task against unbeaten Elland.

Sherburn Bears' scheduled division four game against Crofton has been postponed.

In division five, New Earswick All Blacks Academy go to Birkenshaw Bluedogs and Heworth 'A' visit unbeaten Dewsbury Celtic.

Up in the elite amateur league, the National Conference, York Acorn host a potential division one cracker at Thanet Road, against table-toppers Lock Lane.